THE BILLIONAIRE FAKED A TRIP TO CANADA—THEN HIS HIDDEN CAMERAS EXPOSED A TERRIFYING SECRET ABOUT HIS DAUGHTERS

It demanded that he cease making allegations against their client.

It accused him of abusing his corporate authority.

It threatened legal action over confidential company records.

And it suggested that the public scandal involving Rosamund had damaged Prescott Meridian's reputation.

Chadworth read the letter in silence.

Then he handed it to Cora.

“Does he actually think this will frighten me?”

Cora examined the document.

“He may be trying to delay the investigation or pressure you into reacting publicly. Don't give him that advantage.”

Chadworth looked toward the garden.

“Elliott has spent fifteen years learning how I think.”

“Then it's time to stop behaving predictably.”

That afternoon, Chadworth called a special meeting of Prescott Meridian's board.

Several directors appeared anxious.

Others looked angry.

The company's share price had fallen after reports of the Redwater investigation.

Investors were demanding explanations.

The chairman opened the meeting with a warning.

“We need to contain the damage.”

Chadworth stood.

“No.”

The room fell silent.

“We need to find out how the damage happened.”

One director frowned.

“Chadworth, this isn't the time for moral speeches.”

“Then let's discuss facts.”

He placed copies of the independent accounting summary on the table.

“Money allocated for environmental cleanup appears to have been redirected through companies whose work cannot be verified. Our internal controls allowed authorizations to be issued without adequate review. And our legal department may have concealed critical information.”

The chairman looked uncomfortable.

“These findings are preliminary.”

“Then investigate them thoroughly.”

Another director leaned forward.

“And what about your own responsibility?”

Chadworth met his gaze.

“I authorized transactions I should have examined more carefully. I am not denying that.”

The admission surprised the room.

“I cannot responsibly continue overseeing an inquiry into decisions made under my authority while also serving as the company's chief executive. I'm taking a temporary leave from that position and supporting a fully independent investigation.”

The chairman sat back.

“Do you realize what you're giving up?”

Chadworth thought of Lorelai asleep on his shoulder.

He thought of Gemma asking whether rich people got scared.

He thought of Rosamund's notebook.

And Evelyn's words about knowing whom to trust.

“I understand more than I did three weeks ago.”

He left the boardroom without another argument.

Outside, reporters crowded the entrance.

Chadworth made a short statement confirming that he supported an independent investigation and was arranging financial assistance for the environmental response.

He also addressed the accusations against Rosamund.

“The allegation that our household employee stole jewelry was based on misleadingly edited footage. The complete available recording contradicts that accusation. She deserves privacy and the opportunity to have her reputation restored.”

He refused to discuss his daughters' experiences.

Their pain was not a public-relations tool.

That evening, Rosamund approached him in the sunroom.

“Mr. Prescott?”

“Yes?”

“I heard what you said.”

He set down his book.

“I should have said it sooner.”

She sat opposite him.

“Thank you.”

He studied her carefully.

“Rosamund, I've spent so much time thinking about what you mean to the girls that I haven't asked what you want for yourself.”

She looked surprised.

“What do you mean?”

“What were your plans before you came here?”

Rosamund smiled faintly.

“I wanted to finish my degree.”

“In what?”

“Early childhood education. I completed some courses, but I had to work full-time.”

“Would you still like to finish?”

“Very much.”

“Then I hope you do.”

She tilted her head.

“Are you offering me a promotion?”

“No. I'm asking what kind of future you want, whether it's here or somewhere else.”

For a moment, Rosamund simply stared.

Then her eyes filled.

“Most employers ask how useful you can be to them. Nobody ever asks where you're trying to go.”

Chadworth looked embarrassed.

“I'm learning.”

Rosamund smiled.

“I've noticed.”

After she left, Chadworth returned to his study.

A photograph of Evelyn stood on his desk.

For the first time since her death, he didn't turn it away.

Instead, he told her quietly about the girls.

He told her Lorelai was interested in astronomy.

He told her Gemma was beginning to laugh again.

And he promised he would stop measuring his worth by how many people obeyed him.

At nine that evening, Detective Ruiz arrived unexpectedly.

She looked tired.

Chadworth knew immediately that something was wrong.

“We've been reviewing the security records from the greenhouse intrusion,” she explained.

“Did you identify the person?”

“Not yet. But we discovered that the camera feed was disabled electronically shortly before the physical cable was cut.”

Chadworth frowned.

“Marcus said the cable caused the outage.”

“That's why we investigated.”

She placed a report on the desk.

“The system received an administrator command. It came from inside your property.”

Chadworth stared.

“Who had access?”

“Several accounts. But one was used at precisely the time the intruder entered the grounds.”

He read the account identification.

His mouth went dry.

Marcus Reed.

The security chief who had stood beside him in the surveillance room.

The man who helped him rescue his daughters from Sabina's manipulation.

The man who had promised to protect them.

Chadworth slowly raised his eyes.

“Are you saying Marcus betrayed us?”

Ruiz answered carefully.

“I'm saying someone used his credentials. We need to establish whether he authorized it.”

Chadworth immediately called Marcus.

No answer.

He tried again.

Still nothing.

Ruiz received a message from one of her investigators.

She studied it, then looked up.

“Mr. Prescott, we've found another connection.”

“What?”

“The threatening photograph of your daughters was distributed through a device that had been registered to the security office's administrative network.”

Chadworth stood motionless.

Outside, a car engine started.

He turned toward the window.

A black SUV was moving down the driveway.

Marcus's vehicle.

The security chief had left without informing anyone.

Then a new message appeared on Chadworth's phone.